Harold W. Francis

October 15, 1918 - April 18, 2014

FRANCIS, Harold William "Had", age 95 of Kettering, passed away Friday, April 18, 2014 at his residence under the care of Hospice of Dayton. He was born October 15, 1918 in Dayton, OH to the late Clement Leroy and Alice Viola (Good) Francis. In addition to his parents, Had was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth L. (Baker) Francis in 2009; step-father, Nelson Roof; siblings, Velma Olt, Donald Francis, Mary Alice Francis and Pauline Francis and son-in-law, Richard Harlow. Had is survived by his children, Sam W (Sandra) Francis of West Grove, PA, Sally K Francis of Naperville, IL, and Cathy Ann Harlow of Kettering; grandchildren David (Josephina) Francis, Suzanne (Michael) James, Eva Shore, Hadd (Naoko) Francis, Kristen (Gregory) Batch, Curry (Donna) Malott, Hannah Malott, Zachary (Michelle) Harlow, Jacob Harlow and Alice (Bradley) Gibson; great grandchildren, Jamie, Grace, Noelle, Micah, Brian, Noah, Ruby, Olive, Jayne, Logan, Benjamin, Landon, Emily and Olivia. Had attended Butler High School and was drafted into the Army Air Corps to serve during WWII. He worked for Aero Products Corporation/Allison Division of General Motors before becoming self-employed as cabinetry maker and remodeling carpenter. He was "Mr. Fix It" on Dayton area television and radio segments. Had was well known to family and friends for his career as a professional wrestler in England during WWII under the names Dirty Mike and Farmer Mike. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, euchre, Parcheesi and was a talented artist, inventor, and story teller. Had was a former member of Ellerton United Church of Christ and a devoted caregiver to his wife of 62 years, Ruth. Family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:30 am Friday, April 25, 2014 at Gebhart-Schmidt-Parramore Funeral Home, Miamisburg. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 am Friday also at the funeral home and officiated by Pastor Frank Fenton. Burial will take place at Hillgrove Cemetery, Miamisburg. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Valley Chapter at 4440 Lake Forest Dr., Suite 120, Cincinnati, OH 45242 or Hospice of Dayton at 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420. Personal condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting Had's online memorial at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com or by "liking" Gebhart Schmidt Parramore Funeral Home on Facebook.